Standard LASIK Procedure - Step By Step

Standard LASIK procedure or "basic LASIK" is used to correct the most simple of vision problems.

Basic myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism can all be easily corrected with this elective surgery.

The term "LASIK" is an acronym for laser assisted in situ keratomileusis. Lots of big words there, but it all adds up to better vision afterwards.

Like any surgery, you probably would like to know what to expect, so we will run down the three types of LASIK surgery step by step. Let's start with the standard LASIK operation.

Here is what happens during basic LASIK surgery:

• First, the eye is numbed with anesthetic drops.

• Then a flap is incised using a steel blade and is lifted away by the surgeon. This reveals the corneal tissue beneath and is where the vision correction is made.

• Then pulses of a laser that emits a cool beam of light are applied to the inner corneal tissues. These pulses of cool laser are completely computer controlled and you hear a clicking sound as the laser pulses.

• This allows the surgeon to physically reshape the inner corneal tissue to, in essence, replicate your present eyeglass prescription.

• The flap is replaced in position and will heal naturally on its own.

This procedure is basically designed to improve only the day vision. It is probable that your night vision performance will be made worse with basic LASIK.

In order to achieve a more accurate correction of day and night vision, a newer method called Custom LASIK surgery is used.

Read here about Custom LASIK procedure

Intralase LASIK or iLASIK Step By Step